This is a template for a future guide to running Linux with the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet laptop. If you have the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet and are running Linux on it please consider editing this page or adding a comment below with your compatibility details. By contributing you will help other people running this laptop or trying to make a decision on whether to buy it or not.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet page on LapWik.
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For full specifications see the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet specifications page.
| Name | Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet |
| Processor | Intel Core2 Duo Processor SU9400 : 1.4 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 3MB On-Die L2 Cache |
| Screen | 12.1” WXGA+ (1280×800) |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 4500MHD |
| RAM | Up to 3GB |
| HDD | 160GB - 7200rpm |
| Optical Drive | DVD Super Multi |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11b/g/n |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor |  | Unbuntu 9.1, Fedora 12.0, OpenSuse 11.2 |
| Screen |  | No problems with Gnome, KDE, Intel drivers |
| HDD | | No problems |
| Optical Drive | | External drive (IO Magic) |
| Graphics | | Compiz Ok on all distributions, full effects |
| Sound | | Just OK nothing great |
| Ethernet | | Very good on all distros tested |
| Wireless | | Very good on all distros tested |
| Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | | Very good on all distros tested |
| Firewire | None | |
| Card Reader | | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| ExpressCard Slot | | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| Fingerprint Reader |  | No driver available - Lenovo changed supplier - Windows only |
| Webcam | | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| Keyboard | | Need special drivers and a virtual keyboard program installed for tablet |
After talking with EmporerLinux (who does complex Linux installs for a price) I decided to go looking for a Linux to install. Currently I have Fedora 12 working with the basics of the laptop but I have lost the true tablet features. Here's what I found:
1- The best performing installs were Fedora 12 and Ubuntu 9.1 in that order, OpenSuse the worst.
2- The best overall install was OpenSuse 11.2 but it seemed the slowest in actual performance.
3- No system will recognize the finger print reader. Windows only drivers for now.
4- When installing Ubuntu needed additional Wacom drivers (not a problem to find).
5- KDE, Gnome and Compiz worked great. Graphics are fast.
6- Special tablet button features and keyboard are hard to configure.
The automatic features that come from flipping the table screen under Windows will not be completely functional. With Fedora 12 and Intel drivers I could get the screen to reorient manually but the mouse would not synch up with the change in format. I needed to find a special keyboard driver for Lenovo to get the Fn buttons to work.
I had to download a Virtual Keyboard program to use with the Wacom Pen. Only OpenSuse installed this automatically.
This may be the computer where you boot Linux from Windows and not the other way around. I found that the USB port is very touchy with external drives. It would be safer to use Lenovo brand equipment only.
I love the computer and hope for improvements in Linux soon. I intend to talk to the Novell Suse folks about the hardware details more news later.
The Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet works well with Linux as a general laptop, but if you try to use it as your primary system you will lose tablet features.
Jim Adamski
Discussion
How you solve this broblem with he brigtness? every X start my display ist 100%
could you link me to the driver you used for you're tablet? I'm having trouble finding one. Thanks